Thanksgiving Countdown: Offer a Cheese Plate to Start

Things are going to be hectic come the fourth day of November. So take it from us: go easy on yourself and plan to greet your guests with a cheese plate. Aside from cheese being a flat-out crowd pleaser, there are a number of other reasons to pull out that cheese board.

First, the obvious: there’s no oven or cooking required, which frees up time and space. Any valuable oven or stovetop real estate gets to go toward the turkey or any side dishes or baked desserts. Another bonus: Cheese tastes best at room temperature, as the aromas and complexities of cheese aren’t as detectable when cheese has just been pulled out of the refrigerator. This makes cheese ideal for setting up a couple of hours ahead of your guests’ arrival. (Another dish you can check off your list before the guests arrive — score!)

Take it from us: go easy on yourself and greet your guests with a cheese plate.

In addition, cheese is a natural pairing for Champagne and many wines (read: a fantastic way to get off on the right foot with your guests). Welcome guests with a glass of bubbly, then allow them to pair that with their favorite cheeses. Last but not least, leaving out a cheese plate is the perfect way to encourage guests to help themselves, which not only puts guests at ease, but also frees up your hands for greeting, prepping, or other party tasks.